THE

HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

CHAPTER I.

WILLIAM AND MARY.

State of the Nation immediately after the Revolution-Account of the new Ministry -The Convention converted into a Parliament—Mutiny in the Army-The Coronation, and Abolition of Hearth-money-The Commons vote a Sum of Money to indemnify the Dutch-William's Efforts in favor of the Dissenters-Act for a Toleration-Violent Disputes about the Bill for a Comprehension-The Commons address the King to summon a Convocation of the Clergy-Settlement of the Revenue-The King takes umbrage at the Proceedings of the Whig-party-Heats and Animosities about the Bill of Indemnity recommended by the King-Birth of the Duke of Gloucester-Affairs of the Continent-War declared against France -Proceedings in the Convention of Scotland, of which the Duke of Hamilton is chosen President-Letters to the Convention from King William and King James -They recognize the Authority of King William-They vote the Crown vacant, and pass an Act of Settlement in favor of William and Mary―They appoint Commissioners to make a Tender of the Crown to William, who receives it on the Conditions they propose-Enumeration of their Grievances-The Convention is declared a Parliament, and the Duke of Hamilton King's Commissioner—Prelacy abolished in that Kingdom-The Scots dissatisfied with the King's Conduct-Violent Disputes in the Scotch Parliament—which is adjourned-A Remonstrance presented to the King-the Castle of Edinburgh besieged and taken―The Troops of King William defeated at Killycrankie-King James cordially received by the French King-Tyrconnel temporizes with King William-James arrives in Ireland-Issues five Proclamations at Dublin-Siege of Londonderry-The Inhabitants defend themselves with surprising Courage and Perseverance-Cruelty of Rosene, the French General-The Place is relieved by Kirke-The Inniskilliners defeat and take General Maccarty-Meeting of the Irish Parliament-They repeal the Act of Settlement-Pass an Act of Attainder against Absentees―James coins base Money-The Protestants of Ireland cruelly oppressed—Their Churches are seized by the Catholics, and they are forbid to assemble on pain of death—Admiral Herbert worsted by the French Fleet, in an Engagement near Bantry-bayDivers Sentences and Attainders reversed in Parliament-Inquiry into the Cause of Miscarriages in Ireland—Bills passed in this Session of Parliament.

STATE OF THE NATION IMMEDIATELY | seems to have overshot their attachment to AFTER THE REVOLUTION. their own liberty and privileges: or at least 1689. THE Constitution of England had they neglected the fairest opportunity that now assumed a new aspect. The maxim of ever occurred, to retrench those prerogahereditary, indefeisible right was at length tives of the crown to which they imputed renounced by a free parliament. The pow- all the late and former calamities of the er of the crown was acknowledged to flow kingdom. Their new monarch retained the from no other fountain than that of a con- old regal power over parliaments in its full tract with the people. Allegiance and pro- extent. He was left at liberty to convoke, tection were declared reciprocal ties de- adjourn, prorogue, and dissolve them at his pending upon each other. The representa-pleasure. He was enabled to influence electives of the nation made a regular claim of tions, and oppress corporations. He posrights in behalf of their constituents; and sessed the right of choosing his own counWilliam III. ascended the throne in conse- cil; of nominating all the great officers of quence of an express capitulation with the the state, and of the household, of the army, people. Yet, on this occasion, the zeal of the navy, and the church. He reserved the the parliament towards their deliverer absolute command of the militia: so that

he remained master of all the instruments distributed in remote quarters: that the and engines of corruption and violence, prince declared the first should be kept without any other restraint than his own about his person, and the latter sent to Iremoderation, and prudent regard to the land: that the two houses, out of complaiclaim of rights and principle of resistance, sance to William, had denied their late on which the revolution was founded. In a sovereign the justice of being heard in his word, the settlement was finished with some own defence: and, that the Dutch had lateprecipitation, before the plan had been prop- ly interfered with the trade of London, erly digested and matured; and this will be which was already sensibly diminished. the case in every establishment formed These were the sources of discontent, upon a sudden emergency in the face of swelled up by the resentment of some noopposition. It was observed, that the king, blemen, and other individuals, disappointed who was made by the people, had it in his in their hopes of profit and preferment. power to rule without them; to govern ACCOUNT OF THE NEW MINISTRY. jure divino, though he was created jure WILLIAM began his reign with a proclahumano: and that, though the change pro- mation (1), for confirming all Protestants in ceeded from a republican spirit, the settle- the offices which they enjoyed on the first ment was built upon tory maxims; for the day of December: then he chose the memexecution of his government continued still bers of his council, who were generally independent of his commission, while his stanch to his interest, except the archbishown person remained sacred and inviolable. op of Canterbury and the earl of NottingThe prince of Orange had been invited to ham, [See Note A, at the end of this Vol.] England by a coalition of parties, united by and these were admitted in complaisance to a common sense of danger: but this tie the church-party, which it was not thought was no sooner broken than they flew asun- advisable to provoke. Nottingham and der, and each resumed its original bias. Shrewsbury were appointed secretaries of Their mutual jealousy and rancor revived, state: the privy-seal was bestowed upon and was heated by dispute into intemperate the marquis of Halifax: the earl of Danby zeal and enthusiasm. Those who at first was created president of the council. These acted from principles of patriotism were in- two noblemen enjoyed a good share of the sensibly warmed into partisans; and king king's confidence, and Nottingham was William soon found himself at the head of considerable, as head of the church-party: a faction. As he had been bred a Calvinist, but the chief favorite was Bentinck, first and always expressed an abhorrence of commoner on the list of privy-counsellors, spiritual persecution, the Presbyterians, and as well as groom of the stole and privy other Protestant dissenters, considered him purse. D'Auverquerque was made master as their peculiar protector, and entered into of the horse, Zuylestein of the robes, and his interests with the most zealous fervor Schomberg of the ordnance: the treasury, and assiduity. For the same reasons, the admiralty, and chancery, were put in comfriends of the church became jealous of his mission; twelve able judges were chosen; proceedings, and employed all their influ- and the diocese of Salisbury being vacated ence, first in opposing his elevation to the by the death of Dr. Ward, the king, of his throne, and afterwards in thwarting his own free motion, filled it with Burnet, who measures. Their party was espoused by had been a zealous stickler for his interest; all the friends of the lineal succession; by and, in a particular manner, instrumental the Roman Catholics; by those who were in effecting the revolution. Sancroft, archpersonally attached to the late king; and bishop of Canterbury, refused to consecrate by such as were disgusted by the conduct this ecclesiastic, though the reasons of his and personal deportment of William since refusal are not specified; but, being afraid his arrival in England. They observed, of incurring the penalties of a premunire, That, contrary to his declaration, he had he granted a commission to the bishop of plainly aspired to the crown; and treated London, and three other suffragans, to perhis father-in-law with insolence and rigor: form that ceremony. Burnet was a prelate that his army contained a number of foreign of some parts, and great industry; moderate papists, almost equal to that of the English in his notions of church-discipline, inquisiRoman Catholics whom James had em- tive, meddling, vain, and credulous. In conployed that the reports so industriously sequence of having incurred the displeasure circulated about the birth of the prince of of the late king, he had retired to the conWales, the treaty with France for enslaving tinent, and fixed his residence in Holland, England, and the murder of the earl of Es- where he was naturalized, and attached sex-reports countenanced by the prince himself to the interest of the prince of of Orange-now appeared to be without Orange, who consulted him about the affoundation: that the Dutch troops remained fairs of England. He assisted in drawing in London, while the English forces were up the prince's manifesto, and wrote some

other papers and pamphlets in defence of Holland was in such a situation as required his design. He was demanded of the States, their immediate attention and assistance; by the English ambassador, as a British fu- that the posture of affairs at home likewise gitive, outlawed by king James, and ex- demanded their serious consideration: that cepted in the act of indemnity: neverthe- a good settlement was necessary, not only less, he came over with William, in quality for the establishment of domestic peace, of his chaplain; and, by his intrigues, con- but also for the support of the Protestant tributed in some measure to the success of interest abroad: that the affairs of Ireland that expedition. The principal individuals were too critically situated to admit the that composed this ministry, have been least delay in their deliberations: he, therecharacterized in the history of the prece- fore, begged they would be speedy and efding reigns. We have had occasion to men- fectual in concerting such measures as tion the fine talents, the vivacity, the flexi- should be judged indispensably necessary bility of Halifax: the plausibility, the en- for the welfare of the nation. The comterprising genius, the obstinacy of Danby; mons returning to their house, immediately the pompous eloquence, the warmth, and passed a vote of thanks to his majesty, and ostentation of Nottingham; the probity and made an order that his speech should be tapopularity of Shrewsbury. Godolphin, now ken into consideration. After the throne brought into the treasury, was modest, si- had been declared vacant by a small majorlent, sagacious, and upright. Mordaunt, ap- ity of the peers, those who opposed that pointed first commissioner of that board, measure had gradually withdrawn themand afterwards created earl of Monmouth, selves from the house, so that very few rewas open, generous, and a republican in his mained but such as were devoted to the principles. Delamere, chancellor of the ex- new monarch. These, therefore, brought chequer, promoted in the sequel to the rank in a bill for preventing all disputes concernof earl of Warrington, was close and mer- ing the present parliament. In the mean cenary. Obsequiousness, fidelity, and at- time, Mr. Hambden, in the lower house, tachment to his master, composed the char- put the question, Whether a king elected acter of Bentinck, whom the king raised to by the lords spiritual and temporal, and the the dignity of earl of Portland. The Eng- commons assembled at Westminster, comush favorite, Sidney, was a man of wit and ing to and consulting with the said lords pleasure, possessed of the most engaging and commons, did not make as complete a talents for conversation and private friend- parliament, and legislative power and auship, but rendered unfit for public business thority, as if the said king should cause by indolence and inattention. He was en- new elections to be made by writ? Many nobled, and afterwards created earl of Rom- members affirmed, that the king's writ was ney; a title which he enjoyed with several as necessary as his presence to the being successive posts of profit and importance. of a legal parliament, and, as the convenThe stream of honor and preferment ran tion was defective in this particular, it could strong in favor of the whigs, and this ap- not be vested with a parliamentary authoripearance of partiality confirmed the suspicion and resentment of the opposite party. THE CONVENTION CONVERTED INTO

A PARLIAMENT.

ty by any management whatsoever. The whigs replied, That the essence of a parliament consisted in the meeting and co-operation of the king, lords, and commons; THE first resolution taken in the new and that it was not material whether they council was to convert the convention into were convoked by writ or by letter: they a parliament, that the new settlement proved this assertion by examples deduced might be strengthened by a legal sanction, from the history of England: they observed, which was now supposed to be wanting, that a new election would be attended with as the assembly had not been convoked by great trouble, expense, and loss of time; the king's writ of summons. The exper- and that such delay might prove fatal to iment of a new election was deemed too the Protestant interest in Ireland, as well hazardous; therefore, the council deter- as to the allies on the continent. In the mined that the king should, by virtue of midst of this debate, the bill was brought his own authority, change the convention down from the lords, and being read, a cominto a parliament, by going to the house of mittee was appointed to make some amendpeers with the usual state of a sovereign, ments. These were no sooner made than and pronouncing a speech from the throne the commons sent it back to the upper to both houses. This expedient was ac- house, and it immediately received the roycordingly practised. [See Note B, at the al assent. By this act, the lords and comend of this Vol.] He assured them he mons, assembled at Westminster, were deshould never take any step that would di-clared the two houses of parliament to all minish the good opinion they had con- intents and purposes: it likewise ordained, ceived of his integrity. He told them that That the present act, and all other acts to

MUTINY IN THE ARMY.

which the royal assent should be given before the next prorogation, should be under- THIS faction had already begun to stood and adjudged in law to begin on the practise against the new government. The thirteenth day of February: that the mem-king having received some intimation of bers, instead of the old oaths of allegiance their designs from intercepted letters, orderand supremacy, should take the new oath ed the earl of Arran, Sir Robert Hamilton, incorporated in this act under the ancient and some other gentlemen of the Scottish penalty; and, that the present parliament nation, to be apprehended and sent prisonshould be dissolved in the usual manner. ers to the Tower. Then he informed the Immediately after this transaction, a warm two houses of the step he had taken, and debate arose in the house of commons about even craved their advice with regard to his the revenue which the courtiers alleged conduct in such a delicate affair, which had had devolved with the crown upon Wil- compelled him to trespass upon the law of liam, at least, during the life of James; for England. The lords thanked him for the which term the greater part of it had been care he took of their liberties, and desired granted. The members in the opposition he would secure all disturbers of the peace: affirmed, that these grants were vacated but the commons empowered him by with the throne; and at length it was vo- a bill to dispense with the habeas-corpus ted, That the revenue had expired. Then act till the seventeenth day of April next a motion was made, That a revenue should ensuing. This was a stretch of confidence be settled on the king and queen; and the in the crown which had not been made in house resolved it should be taken into con- favor of the late king, even while Argyle sideration. While they deliberated on this and Monmouth were in open rebellion. A affair, they received a message from his spirit of discontent had by this time diffused majesty, importing, that the late king had itself through the army, and become so set sail from Brest with an armament to in- formidable to the court, that the king revade Ireland. They forthwith resolved to solved to retain the Dutch troops in Engassist his majesty with their lives and for- land, and send over to Holland in their tunes: they voted a temporary aid of four room such regiments as were most tincturhundred and twenty thousand pounds, to be ed with disaffection. Of these the Scottish levied by monthly assessments; and both regiment of Dumbarton, commanded by houses waited on the king to signify this mareschal Schomberg, mutinied on its march resolution. But this unanimity did not take to Ipswich, seized the military chest, displace, till several lords spiritual as well as armed the officers who opposed their design, temporal had, rather than take the oaths, declared for king James, and with four absented themselves from parliament. The pieces of cannon began their march for nonjuring prelates were Sancroft, archbish- Scotland. William, being informed of this op of Canterbury, Turner, bishop of Ely, revolt, ordered general Ginckel to pursue Lake, of Chichester, Ken, of Bath and them with three regiments of Dutch draWells, White, of Peterborough, Lloyd, of goons, and the mutineers surrendered at Norwich, Thomas, of Worcester, and discretion. As the delinquents were natives Frampton, of Gloucester. The temporal of Scotland, which had not yet submitted peers who refused the oath, were the duke in form to the new government, the king of Newcastle, the earls of Clarendon, did not think proper to punish them as Litchfield, Exeter, Yarmouth, and Stafford; rebels, but ordered them to proceed for the lords Griffin, and Stawel. Five of the Holland, according to his first intention. bishops withdrew themselves from the Though this attempt proved abortive, it house at one time; but before they retired, made a strong impression upon the minisone of the number moved for a bill of tol- try, who were divided among themselves, eration, and another of comprehension, by and wavered in their principles. However, which moderate dissenters might be recon- they used this opportunity to bring in a bill ciled to the church, and admitted into ec- for punishing mutiny and desertion, which clesiastical benefices. Such bills were actu- in a little time passed both houses, and really prepared and presented by the earl of ceived the royal assent. Nottingham, who received the thanks of the house for the pains he had taken. From this period, the party averse to the govern- THE Coronation oath [See Note C, at the ment of William were distinguished by the end of this Vol.] being altered and explainappellation of Nonjurors. They rejected ed, that ceremony was performed on the the notion of a king de facto, as well as all eleventh day of April, the bishop of London other distinctions and limitations; and de- officiating, at the king's desire, in the room ciared for the absolute power, and divine of the metropolitan, who was a malcontent; nereditary indefeisible right of sovereigns. and next day, the commons, in a body, wait

CORONATION, AND ABOLITION OF
HEARTH-MONEY.

THE COMMONS VOTE MONEY TO
INDEMNIFY THE DUTCH.

ed on the king and queen at Whitehall, ments of respect he had entertained for the with an address of congratulation. William, church of England, he seemed now in a with a view to conciliate the affection of great measure alienated from it, by the ophis new subjects, and check the progress position he had met with from its members, of clamor and discontent, signified, in a particularly from the bishops, who had solemn message to the house of commons, thwarted his measures. By absenting themhis readiness to acquiesce in any measure selves from parliament, and refusing the they should think proper to take for a new oath, they had plainly disowned his title, regulation or total suppression of the hearth- and renounced his government. He theremoney, which he understood was a grievous fore resolved to mortify the church, and imposition on his subjects; and this tax was gratify his own friends at the same time, by afterwards abolished. He was gratified with removing the obstacles affixed to nonconan address of thanks, couched in the warm-formity, that all the Protestant dissenters est expressions of duty, gratitude, and affec- should be rendered capable of enjoying and tion, declaring they would take such mea- exercising civil employments. When he sures in support of his crown, as would gave his assent to the bill for suspending convince the world that he reigned in the the habeas-corpus act, he recommended the hearts of his people. establishment of a new oath in lieu of those of allegiance and supremacy; he expressed his hope that they would leave room for the He had, in his answer to their former admission of all his Protestant subjects who address, assured them of his constant regard should be found qualified for the service; he to the rights and prosperity of the nation: said, such a conjunction would unite them he had explained the exhausted state of the the more firmly among themselves, and Dutch; expatiated upon the zeal of that re-strengthen them against their common adpublic for the interests of Britain, as well versaries. In consequence of this hint, a as the maintenance of the Protestant reli- clause was inserted in the bill for abrogion; and expressed his hope, that the Eng-gating the old and appointing the new oaths, lish parliament would not only repay the by which the sacramental test was declared sums they had expended in his expedi- unnecessary in rendering any person capation, but likewise further support them to ble of enjoying any office or employment. the utmost of their ability against the com- It was, however, rejected by a great mamon enemies of their liberties and religion. jority in the house of lords. Another clause He had observed that a considerable army for the same purpose, though in different and fleet would be necessary for the reduc- terms, was proposed by the king's direction, tion of Ireland, and the protection of Brit- and met with the same fate, though in both ain; and he desired they would settle the cases several noblemen entered a protest. revenue in such a manner, that it might be against the resolution of the house. These collected without difficulty and dispute. The fruitless efforts, in favor of dissenters, augsum total of the money expended by the mented the prejudice of the churchmen states-general in William's expedition, against king William, who would have amounted to seven millions of guilders, and willingly compromised the difference, by the commons granted six hundred thousand excusing the clergy from the oaths, provided pounds for the discharge of this debt, incur- the dissenters might be exempted from the red for the preservation of their rights and sacramental test: but this was deemed the religion. They voted funds for raising and chief bulwark of the church, and therefore maintaining an army of two and twenty the proposal was rejected. The churchthousand men, as well as for equipping a party in the house of lords moved, that innumerous fleet: but they provided for no stead of inserting a clause, obliging the more than half a year's sustenance of the clergy to take the oaths, the king should be troops, hoping the reduction of Ireland empowered to tender them; and, in case might be finished in that term; and this of their refusal, they should incur the peninstance of frugality the king considered alty, because deprivation, or the apprehenas a mark of their diffidence of his admin- sions of it, might make them desperate, and istration. The whigs were resolved to sup- excite them to form designs against the ply him gradually, that he might be the government. This argument had no weight more dependent upon their zeal and attach- with the commons, who thought it was inment: but he was not at all pleased with dispensably necessary to exact the oaths of their precaution. the clergy, as their example influenced the kingdom in general, and the youth of the nation were formed under their instructions. WILLIAM was naturally biassed to Calvin- After a long and warm debate, all the mitiism, and averse to persecution. Whatever gation that could be obtained, was a clause, promises he had made, and whatever senti- empowering the king to indulge any twelve

WILLIAM'S EFFORTS IN FAVOR OF
THE DISSENTERS.